Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!-Chapter 316: Aizen’s Appearance

No, those weren't actual flames. It was simply the illusion created by Yamamoto's overwhelming spiritual pressure, making others perceive flames around him.

"Blazing Inferno!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Over a dozen pillars of fire erupted from the ground, converging upon the descending ice meteor under Yamamoto's control.

BOOM!

Flames and ice clashed in the sky once more.

This time, Yamamoto held nothing back.

Esdeath's ice meteor, created from all her power, shattered under the assault of the blazing pillars.

Not only that, but Esdeath herself, standing atop the meteor, was struck by the flames.

BOOM!

As the flames of Blazing Inferno dissipated, a charred figure fell from the sky.

Before it even reached the ground, it transformed into a red Zanpakutō that seemed to have been forged at high temperature and had not been soaked in water.

It was clear that, despite her strength, Esdeath was no match for Yamamoto's attack.

Clang!

Esdeath's Zanpakutō clattered to the ground, splashing a few sparks.

"Sigh..."

Ailin shook his head and extended his hand towards the fallen Zanpakutō.

With a slight flex of his fingers—

Swoosh!

The red Zanpakutō flew into Ailin's grasp.

Sizzle... Sizzle... Sizzle...

The intense heat of the blade made sizzling sounds as it came into contact with Ailin's hand. A wisp of white smoke rose from his right hand and the hilt.

However, the heat didn't harm Ailin.

White spiritual pressure emanated from his hand, flowing into the Zanpakutō. Frost spread across the blade, erasing the burn marks left by Ryūjin Jakka's flames.

Ailin held the Zanpakutō before his eyes and gently flicked the blade with his left hand.

"Do you understand now? I told you before, you're powerless against Head-Captain Yamamoto.

A Zanpakutō is ultimately just a Zanpakutō. Perhaps, with the power I've granted you, you can rival some of the stronger captains. But you're still too immature compared to them.

Moreover, you were fighting against Head-Captain Yamamoto, known as the 'Strongest Shinigami'..."

As Ailin spoke, the Zanpakutō in his hand vibrated slightly, as if responding to his words.

"Well, it's been years since I created you, but I've never used you in battle. In that case, I'll let you experience the true power of a Zanpakutō when wielded by its master."

With those words, Ailin pointed the Zanpakutō towards Yamamoto.

"My apologies, Captain Yamamoto. My Zanpakutō had to make you wait. Now, let our battle begin!"

BOOM!

An overwhelming spiritual pressure enveloped the Seireitei. Unlike Yamamoto's scorching reiatsu, Ailin's spiritual pressure radiated a chilling cold.

"Roooar!"

Yamamoto didn't respond to Ailin's challenge. However, his surging spiritual pressure was clearly an answer.

Ukitake glanced at Yamamoto and Ailin, then at Shunsui Kyoraku in his arms. He sighed. The next moment, Ukitake used Shunpo to leave the battlefield, carrying Shunsui away.

He knew that, in his current state, he couldn't intervene in their fight without releasing his Bankai.

Therefore, it was better to take Shunsui back to the Thirteenth Division and heal his injuries first.

That Ryoka girl's abilities were most suitable for treating Shunsui.

Moreover, it wouldn't take much time.

This way, they might even be able to rejoin the fight once those lurking in the shadows made their move.

...

"Is it starting?"

Sōsuke Aizen looked up at the sky. The sky above the Seireitei was now divided into two colors: red and white. Sensing the spiritual pressures emanating from above, a sharp glint flashed in Aizen's eyes.

"Soon..."

With those words, Aizen vanished, reappearing before Shino Madarame at the base of Sōkyoku Hill after a few flashes of Shunpo.

"Captain... Captain Aizen?"

Shino Madarame's spiritual pressure was sealed by the red cloth around her neck. She was forced to lie on the ground, overwhelmed by the aftershocks of Ichigo Kurosaki and Gin Ichimaru's battle. Sensing the spiritual pressure before her weaken, she looked up and saw Aizen smiling down at her.

"This is bad!"

Imprisoned within the Palace of Penitence, Shino had no way of obtaining information about the outside world.

Therefore, she didn't know that "Captain Aizen" had been found dead, impaled on a wall, on the day she was sentenced to death.

However, this didn't prevent her from sensing danger.

Of course, the "danger" Shino felt wasn't for herself, but for Ichigo Kurosaki.

Previously, there had only been two captains at Sōkyoku Hill. One was Gin Ichimaru, the captain of the Third Division, who was currently fighting Ichigo.

The other was Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division. As the captain of the healing division, Unohana wasn't known for her combat abilities.

But now, Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division had arrived. The Fifth Division was the rescue squad. Aizen's strength was undoubtedly greater than Unohana's.

If Aizen and Gin teamed up to attack Ichigo, he would be in grave danger.

"Ichigo, run!"

Thinking of this, Shino shouted, hoping that Ichigo, who was battling Gin, would abandon his rescue attempt and flee the Seireitei.

"Hmm?"

Shino's voice drew the attention of everyone present. Besides Ichigo and Gin, when they turned to look at Shino, they were shocked.

"How... How is this possible?"

"Is that... Captain Aizen?"

"You're kidding, right? Captain Aizen was killed a week ago!"

Marechiyo Ōmaeda, the lieutenant of the Second Division, Isane Kotetsu, the lieutenant of the Fourth Division, and Chōjirō Sasakibe, the lieutenant of the First Division, all stared in disbelief, their eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.

"I see."

Retsu Unohana, the captain of the Fourth Division, was the only one who seemed to understand. A look of realization dawned on her face.

"I had a feeling that something was amiss with Captain Aizen's body, but I couldn't figure out what it was. But I was certain that the body wasn't yours, Captain Aizen. It seems my suspicions were correct. You orchestrated all of this, didn't you, Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division?"

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...

Aizen gently applauded Unohana's deduction.

"As expected of Captain Unohana. My little tricks couldn't fool you for long."

"No, you're too modest, Captain Aizen."

Unohana shook her head with her eyes narrowed to slits.

"I simply had a feeling that the body was wrong. But even after a thorough examination, I couldn't find anything amiss. My suspicions stemmed from other sources. In other words, even I was deceived by you, Captain Aizen.

But I'm curious. Captain Aizen, how did you make that body appear identical to your real one?"

Even though Unohana knew that Aizen was behind all of this, she maintained her usual smile. She didn't believe that a mere Sōsuke Aizen could truly harm the Seireitei. After all, this generation of the Gotei 13 was arguably the strongest in history!

Besides the others, Head-Captain Yamamoto, Captain Ailin, and Zaraki were undoubtedly the Seireitei's strongest fighters.

With those three protecting them, even if Yhwach returned, leading the Quincy Empire to attack the Seireitei, the outcome would be even worse than a thousand years ago.

Furthermore, Yamamoto's two disciples, Shunsui Kyoraku and Jūshirō Ukitake, their strength was undeniable, even in Unohana's eyes.

They were, at the very least, on the same level as her.

Knowing both one's enemies and oneself ensured victory in every battle. While Unohana didn't know Aizen well, she believed she had a good understanding of herself.

"Oh? Are you referring to this, Captain Unohana?"

With those words, Aizen drew his Zanpakutō, holding it upside down before Unohana.

"What? Is that...?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Is that Captain Aizen's body?"

"How is this possible? Captain Aizen, you're holding Captain Aizen's body?"

The three lieutenants gasped in shock, contributing to the Seireitei's warming climate.

Unohana's eyes widened.

In their eyes, Aizen was holding the body of Captain Aizen that had been impaled on the wall a week ago.

Not only was the appearance identical, but even the bloodstains and the way the head drooped were exactly the same.

But how was this possible?

"How is that possible?"

Isane Kotetsu exclaimed. "Captain Aizen's body is still in the Fourth Division's morgue. Captain Unohana even placed a Kidō barrier to protect it. How did you obtain it?"

Indeed, while Aizen was a captain, Isane didn't believe that the barrier Captain Unohana had placed could be broken without alerting her.

"If I'm not mistaken, this body, and the one impaled on the wall, aren't the same, are they?"

Before Aizen could answer, Unohana spoke, clearing Isane's doubts.

"As expected of Captain Unohana. I knew I couldn't fool you for long."

"Shatter—Kyōka Suigetsu!"

Crack...

As Aizen spoke, Unohana and the three lieutenants felt the world around them shatter like glass. It was as if they were finally seeing the "truth."

They realized that Aizen wasn't holding a body, but a Zanpakutō.

"My Zanpakutō's name is Kyōka Suigetsu. Its ability is to manipulate the five senses. But I prefer to call it—Complete Hypnosis!"

After Aizen explained his ability, Unohana nodded.

"I see. Captain Aizen, so you're saying that the Hollowfication incident over a hundred years ago was also your doing?"

"Indeed. However, I didn't expect the Central 46 to be so incompetent. They actually allowed themselves to be attacked and Kisuke Urahara to escape.

Therefore, I took control of the Central 46... While there were some hiccups along the way, I'm quite satisfied with the outcome."

With those words, Aizen sheathed his Zanpakutō. He grabbed Shino Madarame by the neck and lifted her into the air.

Black reiatsu covered his left hand, transforming it into a black glove that reached his elbow.

Aizen slowly lowered his black hand, aiming for Shino's chest.

"Captain Aizen, stop!"

Seeing Aizen's actions, the three lieutenants—Isane Kotetsu, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, and Chōjirō Sasakibe—immediately charged towards him.

While they knew they were no match for Aizen, it didn't mean they could stand by and watch him kill their comrade.

However, before they could reach Aizen, countless blades shot towards them.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

"Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!"

"Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh!"

The blades pierced through Ōmaeda and Isane, instantly incapacitating them.

Only Sasakibe reacted in time, drawing his Zanpakutō to block the first wave of attacks.

However, the next moment, darkness enveloped him, robbing him of his sight and hearing.

A flash of light appeared in the darkness, and blood splattered from Sasakibe's body. He collapsed to the ground, joining Ōmaeda and Isane.

"Captain Tōsen of the Ninth Division?"

Seeing the newcomer who had defeated the three lieutenants with his Bankai, the smile on Unohana's face slowly faded.